The 24-year old PPMA processing and packaging trade exhibition has reported a total attendance rise after co-locating with the Interplas British plastics show.
 
PPMA is organised by Reed Exhibitions and was co-located with the organiser’s triennial Interplas exhibition at The NEC in Birmingham from 27 to 29 September. According to Reed, just over 5,700 pure visitors attended PPMA, on par with the 5,887 that visited its last 2009 event (pending ABC audit).
 
When combined with Interplas, this figure rose to 9,278 visitors and a total attendance of 11,072. The PPMA Show is held annually except for when Reed’s triennial Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition takes place. The latter show was last held in 2010 and returns to The NEC in May 2013.
 
To celebrate the return of PPMA in 2011, a series of new content was introduced. A highlight was the Manufacturing Forum including presentations from packaging, processing, vision and robotics experts.  An awards programme was also launched to recognise under 35-year olds making an impression on the processing and packaging machinery industry.
 
“This year’s show has certainly lived up to expectations with a high volume of quality visitors coming through the doors of The NEC,” PPMA marketing manager Archana Sharma said. “The addition of the Manufacturing Forum and Ones To Watch Awards this year proved successful and helped add a new edge to what is already a leading trade show.”
 
For the first time this year, PPMA and Interplas were co-located with several events organised by Rapid News Communications for the machinery and engineering industries: TCT Live, MM Live, Sensing Technology and the newly-launched MEMs and Nano Live.
 
Rapid News also organised the Interplas exhibition for the first time this year under a joint venture agreement with Reed. As previously reported in EN, Rapid is investigating options looking to acquire Interplas.
 
The PPMA Show will return to The NEC in September 2012.
 
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